TW202118157A - Wire to board connector with low height - Google Patents

Abstract

A low profile wire to board connector with features that enable a height of 1 mm or less, yet sufficient robustness to preclude unintentional separation of mated connectors. A board connector, with a mounting interface configured for surface mount soldering to a PCB, may include a recess for receiving a complementary connector terminating multiple wires. The board connector may have blade-shaped terminals, which may be soldered to the PCB at two ends, with an intermediate portion engaging a portion of the board connector housing, so as to secure the housing to the PCB. The complementary connector may be inserted at an acute angle with the mounting interface, engaging a front portion of the mating connector to a front portion of the board connector. The rear of the complementary connector may then be rotated into the recess and secured near the rear.

Description

Wire-to-board connector with low height

Wire-to-board electrical connectors allow transmission of power and/or data signals between a printed circuit board (PCB) and other components in an electronic system. In one example, power can be provided to a device mounted on a circuit board by a wire-to-board connector that connects a power line to a conductive power trace on a surface of the PCB. In another example, the data can be provided to the device mounted on the circuit board by a wire-to-board connector that connects a data line to a conductive data trace on a surface of the PCB.

The present invention describes an embodiment of a low profile wire-to-board connector. According to some embodiments, an electrical connector may include: an insulating housing including an opening for receiving a second connector, the opening being bounded by at least a first wall and a second wall of the insulating housing, And the first wall includes at least one receiving portion configured to receive a protrusion from the second connector, and the second wall is transverse to the first wall; a plurality of conductive terminals are attached to the The first wall of the insulating housing extends into the opening; and at least one locking tab attached to the second wall of the insulating housing. The at least one locking tab may include a flexible portion configured to engage a surface on the second connector when the second connector is inserted into the opening.

According to some embodiments, an electrical connector may include: an insulating housing; a plurality of conductive terminals supported by the insulating housing; and at least one spring supported by the insulating housing. The insulating housing may include an opening for receiving a second connector. The first connector may include a first retention feature for engaging the second connector at a first end of the opening, and a first retention feature for engaging the second connector at a second end of the opening A second retention feature, wherein the first end is offset from the second end in a first direction. The at least one spring may be configured to apply a force to the second connector in the first direction when the second connector is in the opening.

According to some embodiments, a method of mating a cable connector and a board connector may include: inserting the cable connector into a recess of the board connector along a first direction; at least in part by The following operations fix the cable connector to the board connector:

Applying a spring force to the cable connector in a second direction at least partially opposite to the first direction; and preventing the cable connector from moving in a direction perpendicular to the second direction.

Cross reference of related applications

In accordance with 35 USC §119(e), this application claims the priority and rights of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/869,511 filed on July 1, 2019, titled "WIRE TO BOARD CONNECTOR WITH LOW HEIGHT". The full text of the case is hereby incorporated by reference.

The inventor has recognized and understood design techniques for electrical connectors that enable wire-to-board (or cable-to-board) sockets and plug connectors to occupy a small volume while providing reliable operation. These connectors may have a height of 1 mm or less. The technology as described herein can result in compact connectors that resist accidental unmating.

The inventor has recognized that if pressure is applied to the wire or cable terminated at the socket connector, the small socket and plug connector may be accidentally disconnected from the mating. For example, if the wire or cable is pulled away from the plug connector, the socket may be removed from the plug connector. For example, when the wire extends to the outside of an electronic device, the wire can be pulled. For example, the wire attached to the earplug can extend out of a portable electronic device and can be accidentally pulled during use.

According to some embodiments, the socket and the plug connector can be reliably fixed to each other in a way that reduces the risk of accidentally disengaging the socket connector and the plug connector. In some embodiments, a socket connector can be inserted into a recess of a plug connector along an insertion direction, and a member in the plug connector can apply a spring force to the socket connector in a fixed direction To fix the socket connector to the plug connector.

For example, the front edge of the socket connector can be inserted into the recess of the plug connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the front edge of the socket connector is mated with the blade contact of the plug connector. The rear edge of the socket connector can be shaped to interlock with a part of the plug housing along a side opposite to the blade of the plug. In this example, the fixing direction is from the blade to the opposite side of the plug connector. Therefore, when the socket is moved in a fixed direction, the features on the rear edge of the socket and the complementary features on the plug housing are interlocked to prevent the socket from being lifted from the notch in the plug.

The spring force may be applied at least partially opposite to the insertion direction and partially along the bottom surface of one of the recesses to fix the socket connector to the plug connector.

In some embodiments, a front edge of a socket connector can be inserted into a recess of the plug connector along an insertion direction which is angled with respect to a mounting surface of a plug connector. The socket may engage the plug connector at the front edge of the socket connector. The front edge of the socket connector can be inserted into the recess of the plug connector and mated with the blade contact of the plug connector. The front edge of the socket connector can be shaped to interlock with a part of the plug housing along a part of the blade contact with the plug connector, thereby preventing the socket connector from being removed from the plug connector inadvertently.

The rear part of the plug and/or receptacle connector may further include a feature that prevents the receptacle connector from being unintentionally removed backwards. Fixing the socket connector in the plug may require rotating the socket connector around the front edge of the warp joint so that the back of the socket rotates toward the mounting surface of the plug connector. Then, the features at the rear of the socket and/or plug connector can be engaged to hold the socket connector in the plug connector.

In some embodiments, the features may include a member in the plug connector that engages the receptacle connector to fix the receptacle connector to the plug connector. The member may be a locking tab coupled to a side wall of the plug housing. A locking tab may have a portion that can be formed by a folded metal sheet and disposed above the opposite side of the side wall. At least one of the parts of the locking tab may be welded to the board. This soldering can form at least part of the attachment of the plug connector to the board. Therefore, the locking tab can be reliably fixed to the board to provide sufficient contact force for holding the receptacle connector in the plug connector and holding the plug connector to the board in the event of unintentionally pulling the receptacle connector upward.

In some embodiments, the rear edge of the receptacle connector may include a protrusion that engages with a feature at the rear of the plug connector when the receptacle connector is slid backwards. Therefore, a backward sliding movement can fix the socket connector in the plug connector. A backward sliding movement can be imparted by a spring member between the plug and the socket, the spring member being compressed when the socket is inserted into the plug connector.

Turning to the drawing, FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of an electrical interconnection system 100 including a receptacle connector 120 and a plug connector 140 according to some embodiments. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view of the socket connector 120 and the plug connector 140.

In order to simplify the description, the mating connectors are identified as plugs and sockets based on the shapes of their terminals. In this example, the socket connector has a terminal with a member that deflects during mating to generate a contact force. Here, the deflection member is an opposing member that mates with a blade from a plug connector inserted between them. However, the descriptions of mating and fixing connectors in this text apply to each other, regardless of the shape of the terminals of these connectors. For example, the plug connector 140 is shown as being mounted to a printed circuit board and the receptacle connector 120 is shown as terminating multiple wires. In other embodiments, a connector mounted to a board may have terminals shaped for a socket, and a connector terminating a cable may have terminals shaped as blades. Alternatively, each connector may have some plug terminals and some socket terminals. In addition, the plug terminals are not required to be rigid during mating. In some embodiments, both the plug terminal and the receptacle terminal can be deflected when mated.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1B, the plug connector 140 can be mounted to a board 102, which in some embodiments can be a printed circuit board. In this example, the installation is achieved by placing one of the mounting surfaces of the plug connector 140 on the board 102 and soldering the connector surface to the board. The socket connector 120 can terminate two insulated wires 104a and 104b. In the mated configuration shown in FIG. 1A, the socket connector 120 and the plug connector 140 can electrically connect the conductors in the insulated wires 104a and 104b with the conductive pads (not shown) on the board 102. In some embodiments, the electrical interconnection system 100 may have a small external size, such as a height less than 1 mm. The height can be measured relative to one of the connectors mounted on a surface of a substrate.

The receptacle connector 120 includes a receptacle housing 130 that can support the receptacle terminals 122a and 122b, wherein the terminal 122a is shown in FIG. 1B. The socket housing 130 may be formed using an insulating material such as plastic. The socket terminals 122a and 122b may be formed using a conductive material such as phosphor bronze. In FIG. 1B, the socket terminal 122a may be attached to a conductor of the insulated wire 104a, wherein the crimping portion 124a of the socket terminal 122a holds the conductor. In some embodiments, the conductor may be copper or other metals with or without plating (such as silver plating). The design as described herein can be used in conjunction with small diameter wires. In some embodiments, the conductor may have a diameter less than 32 AWG. In other embodiments, the diameter may be less than 34 AWG, such as 36 AWG or 40 AWG, or smaller.

One of the terminal lances 126a of the socket terminal 122a can protrude into an opening in the socket housing 130 and pass through the opening in the illustrated embodiment to prevent the insulated wire 104a from being pulled away from the socket housing 130 when the insulated wire 104a is pulled away from the socket housing 130. Remove the socket terminal 122a. The terminal lance 126a may be shaped to slide along the bottom wall of the socket housing 130 when inserted into the socket housing 130. In FIGS. 3C to 3D and 4A to 4B, the socket terminal 122a is further illustrated. In some embodiments, the receptacle connector 120 may have a height of 1 mm or less, so that when the receptacle connector 120 is inserted into the plug connector 140, the height of the mated connector may be 1 mm or less .

The plug connector 140 may include a plug housing 150, and the plug housing 150 may support the plug terminals 142a and 142b, and the spring tabs 144a and 144b. The plug housing 150 can be formed using an insulating material such as plastic. The plug terminals 142a and 142b and the spring tabs 144a and 144b can be formed using a conductive material such as phosphor bronze, with or without plating to support surface mounting soldering of the plug terminals to the board 102. The plug terminals 142a and 142b may have blade contacts. As shown in FIG. 1B, the plug terminal 142a has: a first portion 162a, which is configured for surface mounting soldering to a pad on the surface of the board 102; and a second portion 162b, which is positioned to connect to the socket When the connector 120 is inserted into the plug connector 140, it contacts the receptacle terminal 122a. The bottom surface of the plug housing 150 may have openings to allow the plug terminals 142a and 142b and the spring tabs 144a and 144b to be mounted (for example, soldered) to the conductive pads on the board 102, thereby connecting the plug terminals 142a and 142b and the spring tabs 144a and 144b are fixed to the board 102.

In some embodiments, in addition to electrically coupling the plug terminals 142 a and 142 b to the board 102, fixing the plug terminals 142 a and 142 b and the spring tabs 144 a and 144 b to the board 102 can also mechanically fix the plug housing 150 to the board 102. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plug terminals 142a and 142b has a portion outside the housing 150 configured for welding to a part of the board 102, and inside one of the plug housings 150 is also used for welding Part. Between the two parts, the plug terminal engages a wall of the housing 150, thereby fixing the housing to the board when the terminal ends are welded to the board.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the plug terminal 142a may be electrically coupled to the socket terminal 122a to a conductive pad on the surface of the board 102 so that a conductor of the insulated wire 104a connected to the socket terminal 122a is electrically connected to the board 102. In some embodiments, the plug connector 140 may have a height of 1 mm or less.

In some embodiments, the insulated wires 104a and 104b may have at least one electrical conductor 106 that can be surrounded by an insulator 108 (shown in FIGS. 3C to 3D and 4A to 4B). For example, the electrical conductor(s) 106 may include a pair of copper wires wrapped in the plastic 108. In some embodiments, the wire may be AWG 36 or AWG 40 wire. It should be understood that the electrical interconnection system described herein can be configured to support any number of lines.

FIGS. 2A to 2J illustrate one method of mating the socket connector 120 and the plug connector 140 of the electrical interconnection system 100. FIGS. 2A to 2C are top perspective views of the electrical interconnection system 100 when the socket connector 120 is inserted into the plug connector 140 and fixed to the plug connector 140. FIGS. 2D to 2F are side views of the electrical interconnection system 100 when the socket connector 120 is inserted into the plug connector 140 and fixed to the plug connector 140. 2H to 2J are side views of a cross-section of the electrical interconnection system 100 when the socket connector 120 is inserted into the plug connector 140 and fixed to the plug connector 140. FIG. 2G is a top view showing the electrical interconnection system 100 of the cross section X-X shown in FIG. 2H to FIG. 2J, in which the socket connector 120 is fixed in the plug connector 140.

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2D, and 2H, the socket connector 120 can be inserted into the plug connector 140 along an insertion direction 110. The insertion direction 110 may form an acute angle with respect to the board 102, such as due to a front end of the receptacle connector 120 being inserted into the plug connector 140 so that the receptacle connector 120 is oriented such that there is a gap between the insulated wires 104a and 104b and the board 102 The distance between the front end of the socket connector 120 and the board 102 is greater than that. Inserting at an angle enables a protrusion from the socket connector 120 to extend below a feature of the plug housing 150, thereby partially fixing the socket connector 120 in the plug connector 140.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2D, the plug housing 150 includes a notch 152 that can be shaped to receive the socket housing 130. The recess 152 includes receiving portions 152a to 152c, which can be shaped to accommodate the protruding portions 138a to 138c of the socket housing, respectively. The receiving portions 152a and 152b and the protruding portions 138a and 138b may be disposed on opposite sides of the groove 154 at the rear ends of the plug connector 140 and the receptacle connector 120, respectively. The receiving portions 152b to 152c and the protruding portions 138b to 138c are shown in FIGS. 2H to 2J. As shown in FIGS. 2H to 2J, the receiving portion 152c and the protruding portion 138c are disposed on the front ends of the plug connector 140 and the receptacle connector 120, respectively. When the socket connector 120 is inserted into the recess 152 of the plug connector 140, the protruding portion 138c can enter the receiving portion 152c, as shown in FIG. 2H.

Once the receptacle connector 120 has been inserted into the recess 152, the receptacle connector 120 can be rotated in the direction 112 toward the board 102. The rotation axis of the socket connector 120 can be established by the engagement between the front part of the socket connector 120 and the front wall of the plug housing 150 and can be perpendicular to the insertion direction 110. 2B, 2E, and 2I show the electrical interconnection system 100 in an inserted, unfixed state after the receptacle connector 120 has been rotated in the direction 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the protruding portion 138c is inserted into the receiving portion 152c, and the protruding portions 138a and 138b are not inserted into the receiving portions 152a and 152b.

The plug housing 150 may have a groove 154 in one of the rear walls of the plug housing 150 for accommodating the insulated wires 104a and 104b when the socket connector 120 is fixed in the plug connector 140. The insulated wires 104a and 104b may be elongated in a direction in which they extend through the groove 154.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, when the socket connector 120 is inserted into the plug connector 140, at least one spring tab 144 a of the plug connector 140 can apply a force to the socket connector 120. For example, a flexible portion 148a of the spring tab 144a can push (for example, physically contact) the socket connector in a fixed direction 114 at least partially along the insertion direction 110 and along a bottom surface of the recess 152 of the plug connector 140 120 to fix the socket connector 120 to the plug connector 140. The flexible portions 148a and 148b of the spring tabs 144a and 144b are shown in a compressed state in FIGS. 2A to 2B and in a relaxed state in FIG. 2C. The protruding portions 160a and 160b may be configured to fix the socket connector 120 when the spring tabs 144a and 144b push the socket connector along the bottom surface of the recess 152. The protrusions 160a and 160b can be configured to prevent movement in an upward direction away from the board 102. For example, when the receptacle connector 120 is fixed to the receptacle connector 140, the protruding portions 160a and 160b of the plug housing 150 may be positioned farther from the board 102 than the protruding portions 138a and 138b of the receptacle housing 130. As shown in FIGS. 2H to 2J, the protruding portion 160b is positioned above the receiving portion 152b in an upward direction away from the board 102. 2C, 2F, and 2J show the electrical interconnection system 100 in an inserted, fixed state. For example, as shown in FIG. 2J, the protruding portions 138a and 138b are inserted into the receiving portions 152a and 152b.

3A to 3D further illustrate the socket connector 120 of FIGS. 1A to 1B. FIG. 3A is a bottom perspective view of one of the socket connectors 120. FIG. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a part of the socket connector 120 where a terminal 122a is engaged with the socket housing 130. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3B, the socket housing 130 includes a groove 136 that can be shaped to fix the socket housing 130 to the terminal lances 126a and 126b of the socket terminals 122a and 122b. In FIGS. 3A to 3B, the terminal lance 126a extends into a groove 136 on the bottom surface of the socket housing 130, thereby preventing the terminal 122a from being drawn out from the socket housing 130. FIG. 3A further illustrates the terminal grooves 134a and 134b, which can be shaped to accommodate the plug terminals 142a and 142b when the receptacle connector 120 is inserted into the plug connector 140.

3C is an exploded view of the socket connector 120 of FIGS. 1A to 1B, which shows the socket housing 130 separated from the socket terminals 122a and 122b and the wires 104a and 104b. As shown in FIG. 3C, the socket terminals 122a and 122b can be inserted into the terminal grooves 134c and 134d of the socket housing 130 to form the socket connector 120. As shown in FIG. 3C, insulated wires 104a and 104b may include wire insulators 108a and 108b surrounding conductors 106a and 106b. FIG. 3D is a side view of a cross-section of the socket connector 120 passing through the insulated wire 104b and the socket terminal 122b.

4A to 4B further illustrate the socket terminals 122a and 122b and the insulated wires 104a and 104b of the socket connector 120. 4A is a socket terminal 122 (which can be any of the socket terminals 122a and 122b in the socket connector 120) and an insulated wire 104 (which can be any of the insulated wires 104a and 104b) according to some embodiments ) A top perspective view. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the socket terminal 122 and the insulated wire 104. As shown in FIG. 4A, the crimping portion 124 of the socket terminal 122 is shown to hold the conductor 106 and the wire insulator 108, respectively. The crimping portion around the conductor 106a forms an electrical connection between the socket terminal 122a and the conductor 106a.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the socket terminal 122 includes a first contact portion that is shaped to contact the first side and the second side of the socket contacts 142a and 142b of the plug connector 140 (they may have blade contacts) 128a and the second contact portion 128b. The contact portions 128a and 128b may be flexible, so that they apply a contact force to the plug contacts of the plug connector when the plug connector and the socket connector are mated. The contact portions 128a and 128b may include protrusions to increase the contact pressure at the mating interface. In one example, displacing the contact portions 128a and 128b by up to 0.06 mm can apply a pressure of 800 MPa to the contact portions 128a and 128b and generate a contact force of 0.58 N. As also shown in FIG. 4B, a terminal lance 126 can be cut from the bottom side of the socket terminal 122. The terminal lance 126 may be biased away from the bottom side so that it will bounce outward and engage a feature of the socket housing 130 to fix the socket terminal 122 to the socket housing 130.

5A to 5C further illustrate the plug connector 140 of FIGS. 1A to 1B. Figure 5A is a top perspective view of the plug when the plug connector and the socket connector are mated. The contact portions 228a and 229a may include protrusions to increase the contact pressure at the mating interface connector 140. FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the plug connector 140. FIG. 5C is a side cross-sectional view of the plug connector 140 passing through the plug terminal 142a.

The spring tabs 144a and 144b in FIGS. 5A to 5C are an example of applying a spring force to the socket connector 120 to push a spring member of the socket connector 120 in the fixed direction 114 (FIG. 2F) during mating . According to various embodiments, one or more spring members may be used. As shown in FIG. 5B, two spring tabs 144a and 144b are attached to opposite sides of the plug housing 150. For example, in FIG. 5B, the spring tabs 144a and 144b are attached to the sides 151a and 151b of the plug housing 150 perpendicular to the wall 151d, and the plug terminals 142a and 142b extend through the wall 151d (eg, the front wall 151d).

The plug housing 150 may include openings 158a and 158b on the sides 151a and 151b, where the opening 158b is visible in FIGS. 5A to 5B. The openings 158a and 158b can extend through the wall of the plug housing so that the flexible portions 148a and 148b of the spring tabs 144a and 144b can extend into the opening of the plug housing 150 that receives the socket connector. Therefore, when the socket connector 120 is inserted into the plug connector 140, the flexible portions 148a and 148b can physically contact the socket connector 120. In the illustrated example, the flexible portions 148a and 148b of the spring tabs 144a and 144b are positioned side by side with the plug terminals 142a and 142b, and are separated in the direction along which the plug terminals 142a and 142b are separated. In this position, when the front end of the socket connector 120 is inserted into the plug housing 150 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the spring tabs 144a and 144b are compressible. Then, the spring force in the spring tabs 144a and 144b can push the socket connector 120 in a fixed direction, as shown in FIG. 2C. The openings 158a and 158b can accommodate the compression of the flexible portions 148a and 148b by allowing the curved corners of the flexible portions 148a and 148b to move in the direction in which the flexible portions 148a and 148b are compressed.

The spring tabs 144a and 144b can be held in the plug housing 150 using one or more features. The spring tabs 144a and 144b can be held adjacent to the front wall 151d of the plug housing 150 so that they are caught between the socket connector 120 and the plug housing 150 when the socket connector 120 is inserted. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling portions 146a and 146b of the spring tabs 144a and 144b may be clamped to the sides of the walls 151a and 151b of the plug housing 150. The elongated portions connecting the flexible portions 148a and 148b to the coupling portions 146a and 146b (for example, 147b in FIG. 5B) may be disposed outside the openings 158a and 158b.

6 is a top perspective view of a spring tab 144 (which can be any one of the spring tabs 144a and 144b of the plug connector 140) according to some embodiments. FIG. 6 shows the coupling portion 146 and the flexible portion 148 of the spring tab 144, with an elongated portion 147 connecting the coupling portion 146 to the flexible portion 148. In some embodiments, the spring tab 144 can generate a force that urges the receptacle connector into a position where it engages with a plug housing. In one example, displacing the flexible portion 148 by 0.3 mm applies a pressure of 800 MPa on the spring tab 144 and generates a contact force of 0.44 N.

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of an alternative electrical interconnection system 200 including a socket connector 220 and a plug connector 250 according to some embodiments. FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the electrical interconnection system 200. Similar to the plug connector 140 of the electrical interconnection system 100, the plug connector 250 can be mounted to a board 202, such as by surface mounting soldering, which in some embodiments can be a printed circuit board. In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, the socket connector 220 terminates twelve insulated wires, and the insulated wires 204a and 204b are marked. In the mated configuration shown in FIG. 7A, the socket connector 220 and the plug connector 250 can electrically connect the conductors of the insulated wires to the conductive pads on the board 202 (not shown). In some embodiments, the insulated wires shown in FIG. 7A can be configured in the manner described for the insulated wires 104a and 104b of FIGS. 1A to 1B. In some embodiments, the electrical interconnection system 100 may have a small external size, such as a height less than 1 mm.

Similar to the receptacle connector 120, the receptacle connector 220 includes a receptacle housing 230 that can be configured to support one of the receptacle terminals for each of the insulated wires, wherein the terminal 222a is shown in FIG. 7B. The socket housing 230 may be formed using an insulating material such as plastic. The socket terminal may be formed using a conductive material such as phosphor bronze. In one example, the socket terminal may be formed using phosphor bronze having a thickness between 0.75 mm and 0.2 mm, and between 0.1 mm and 0.14 mm, such as 0.12 mm. In FIG. 7B, a conductor 206a of the insulated wire 204a may be installed to the socket terminal 222a, wherein a crimping portion 224a of the socket terminal 222a holds the conductor 206a. In some embodiments, the conductor 206a may be formed using copper. A terminal lance 226a of the socket terminal 222a can protrude into an opening in the socket housing 230 and pass through the opening in the illustrated embodiment to prevent the insulated wire 204a from moving away from the socket housing 230 when the insulated wire 204a is pulled away from the socket housing 230. Except for the socket terminal 222a. The terminal lance 226a may be shaped to slide along the top wall of the socket housing 230 when inserted into the socket housing 230. The socket terminal 222a is further shown in FIGS. 11A to 11B and FIGS. 12A to 12B.

The socket connector 220 further includes a wire cover 290 disposed on the top side of the socket housing 230. In some embodiments, the wire cover 290 may be formed using an insulating material such as plastic. The wire cover 290 may include a plurality of wire slots configured to hold the insulated wires in place in the socket housing 230. The wire cover 290 is further shown in FIG. 10B. In some embodiments, the receptacle connector 220 may have a height of 1 mm or less.

Similar to plug connector 140, plug connector 250 includes a plug housing 270 that can be configured to support twelve plug terminals, of which plug terminals 252a and 252b are marked. In some embodiments, the plug connector 250 may have a height of 1 mm or less.

The plug housing 270 may be formed using an insulating material such as plastic. The plug terminal can be formed using a conductive material such as phosphor bronze with or without plating to support surface mounting soldering of the plug terminal to the board 202. As shown in FIG. 7B, the plug terminal 252a has: at least one first portion 262a, which is configured for surface mount soldering to a pad on the surface of the board 202; and a second portion 262b, which is positioned to be in the socket When the connector 220 is inserted into the plug connector 250, it contacts the receptacle terminal 222a. The plug terminal of the plug connector 250 may have blade contacts. The bottom surface of the plug housing 270 may have an opening to allow the plug terminal to be mounted (for example, soldered) to the conductive pad on the board 202, thereby fixing the plug terminal to the board 202. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plug terminals 252a and 252b has a portion outside the plug housing 270 configured for welding to a part of the board 202, and inside one of the plug housings 270 is also used for welding Part of it. Between the two parts, the plug terminal engages a wall of the housing 270, thereby fixing the housing 270 to the board 202 when the terminal ends are welded to the board 202. In some embodiments, fixing the plug terminals 252 a and 252 b to the board 202 may mechanically fix the plug housing 270 to the board 202. As shown in FIG. 7B, the plug terminal 252a may be configured to be electrically coupled to the receptacle terminal 222a to electrically connect one or more conductive pads on the surface of the board 202 and a conductor of the insulated wire 204a.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the receptacle connector 220 can be fixed in the plug housing 270 by the following operations: engage the front part of the receptacle connector 220 and one of the front of the plug housing 270 at an acute angle with respect to the surface of the board 202 Then, the back of the socket housing 230 is rotated into a recess of the plug housing 270. The rear part of the socket connector 220 can be engaged with the features on the plug housing 270 so as to fix the socket connector 220 in the plug connector 250.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plug housing 270 supports the locking tabs 254a and 254b. The locking tabs 254a and 254b can be formed using a flexible material. In some embodiments, the locking tabs 254a and 254b may be formed using a conductive material such as phosphor bronze, with or without plating to support surface mounting of the locking tabs 254a and 254b to the surface of the board 202. In other embodiments, the locking tabs 254a and 254b may be formed of stainless steel or spring steel. The locking tabs 254a and 254b may each have a plurality of folded portions disposed above the side of one wall of the plug housing 270. One or more of the folded portions may extend to the board 202 for mounting (for example, welding) to the pad(s) on the surface of the board 202. In some embodiments, the locking tabs 254 a and 254 b may be welded to the surface of the board 202 to mechanically couple the housing 270 to the board 202. In some embodiments, the locking tabs 254a and 254b can be configured to electrically couple a structure of the plug connector 250 or the receptacle connector 220 to conductive pads on the surface of the board 202.

In some embodiments, the insulated wire may have at least one electrical conductor 206 that may be surrounded by an insulator 208 (for example, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11B). The electrical conductor 106 may include a pair of copper wires wrapped in the plastic 108. The design as described herein can be used in conjunction with small diameter wires. In some embodiments, the conductor may have a diameter less than 32 AWG. In other embodiments, the diameter may be less than 34 AWG, such as 36 AWG or 40 AWG or smaller.

The electrical interconnection system described herein can be configured to support any number of cables and/or wires. For example, FIGS. 8A to 8C show exemplary embodiments of electrical interconnection systems 200a to 200c, which are configured to use the method for fixing the socket connector in the plug connector as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 7A and 7B Structure to support different numbers of cables and/or lines. Figure 8A is a top perspective view of an electrical interconnection system 200a configured to connect two wires to a board. Figure 8B is a top perspective view of one of the electrical interconnection systems 200b configured to connect four wires to one board. Figure 8C is a top perspective view of one of the electrical interconnection systems 200c configured to connect six wires to one board.

FIGS. 9A to 9G illustrate a method of mating the socket connector 220 and the plug connector 250 using the structure described above in conjunction with FIGS. 7A and 7B. 9A to 9B are top perspective views of the electrical interconnection system 200 when the receptacle connector 220 is inserted into the plug connector 250 and fixed in the plug connector 250. 9C to 9D are side views of a cross section of the electrical interconnection system 200 when the receptacle connector 220 is inserted into the plug connector 250 and fixed in the plug connector 250. 9F to 9G are side views of alternative cross-sections of the electrical interconnection system 200 when the receptacle connector 220 is inserted into the plug connector 250 and fixed in the plug connector 250. FIG. 9E is a top view of the electrical interconnection system 200 _{indicating the cross section X 1} -X ₁ ′ of FIGS. 9C to 9D and the cross section X ₂ -X _{2 ′ of FIGS. 9F to 9G.}

As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9C, and 9F, a front end of the receptacle connector 220 can be inserted into the plug connector 250 along an insertion direction 210. The insertion direction 210 may be similar to the insertion direction 110 described in connection with the electrical interconnection system 100. For example, the insertion direction 210 may form an acute angle with respect to the board 202, such as due to a front end of the receptacle connector 220 being inserted into the plug connector 250 so that the receptacle connector 220 is oriented to have a ratio between the insulated wire and the board 202. There is a greater distance between the front end of the socket connector 220 and the board 202. Inserting at an angle allows one or more protrusions from the socket connector 220 to extend below the features of the plug housing 270, thereby partially fixing the socket connector 220 in the plug connector 250.

The plug terminals are shown as being separated from each other in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction 210 in FIG. 9A (where the plug terminal 252a is marked). As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9C, the plug housing 270 includes a notch 272 that can be shaped to receive the socket housing 230.

The socket housing 230 further includes one or more front protrusions, such as front protrusions 240a to 240b, where the front protrusion 240a is labeled in FIG. 9F. The socket housing 230 further includes features that engage complementary features on the plug connector when the back of the socket connector is pressed into the plug housing. In this example, the features are located on the side near the rear of the socket connector. These features may be the rear side protrusions 240c to 240d, wherein the rear side protrusion 240d is labeled in FIG. 9A.

The plug housing 270 further includes front receiving portions 284a to 284b (wherein the front receiving portion 284a is labeled in FIG. 9F) and rear side protrusions 282a to 282b (wherein, the rear side protrusion portion 282b is labeled in FIG. 9A). The front receiving portions 284a to 284b of the plug housing 270 may be shaped to accommodate the front protruding portions 240a to 240b of the socket housing 230, respectively. The rear side protrusions 282a to 282b of the plug housing 270 may be positioned to respectively engage the rear housing protrusions 240c to 240d of the socket housing 230, and may form or may be a part of a rear wall of the plug housing. The rear protruding portions 282a to 282b and the rear protruding portions 240c to 240d of the plug housing 270 may be disposed on opposite sides of the groove 276 at the rear ends of the plug connector 250 and the receptacle connector 220, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9F, the front protruding portion 240a of the socket housing 230 and the front receiving portion 284a of the plug housing 270 are disposed on the front ends of the plug connector 250 and the receptacle connector 220, respectively. When the socket connector 220 is inserted into the recess 272 of the plug connector 250, the front protruding portion 240a can enter the front receiving portion 284a, as shown in FIGS. 9F to 9G.

Once the socket connector 220 has been inserted into the recess 272 of the plug connector 250, the rear of the socket connector 220 can be rotated in the direction 212 toward the board 202. The rotation axis of the socket connector 220 can be established by the joint between the front part of the socket connector 220 and the front wall of the plug housing 270 and can be perpendicular to the insertion direction 210. 9B, 9D, and 9G show the receptacle connector 220 fixed in the plug connector 250 after the receptacle connector 220 has been rotated in the direction 212.

The plug housing 270 may have a groove 276 in the rear wall of the plug housing 270 that can be shaped to receive the insulated wire when the receptacle connector 220 is lowered into the plug connector 250. The insulated wire is stretchable and extends through the slot 276.

As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9B, the socket connector 220 can be fixed in the plug connector 250 by joining the features on the socket connector 220 and the plug connector 250. In this example, the plug connector 250 has at least one locking tab that is positioned to engage a surface of the receptacle connector 220 when the back of the receptacle connector 220 is rotated into the plug connector 250. For example, the locking tabs 254a to 254b shown in FIGS. 9A to 9B can engage the locking ledges 242a to 242b of the socket housing 230 (wherein the locking ledges 242b are shown in FIG. 9A) to prevent the socket connector 220 at least partially rotates out of the recess 272 of the plug connector 250 around the axis 212. The locking lugs 242 a to 242 b of the socket housing 230 can be latched to the flexible portions 258 a to 258 b of the locking tabs 254 a to 254 b to fix the socket connector 220 in the recess 272 of the plug connector 250. The rear protruding portions 282a to 282b of the plug housing 270 can be configured to prevent the socket connector 220 from slipping out from the rear end of the recess 272 when the insulated wire is pulled in a rearward direction. The front protruding portions 240a to 240b of the socket housing 230 and the front receiving portions 284a to 284b of the plug housing 270 may be configured to prevent the receptacle connector 220 from moving away from the board 202 in an upward direction.

10A to 10E further illustrate the socket connector 220b of FIGS. 8B and 9A to 9G. FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of a socket connector 220b. As shown in FIG. 10A, the socket housing 230b further includes terminal lance grooves, where the terminal lance grooves 238a are marked, and the terminal lance grooves can be configured to engage the terminal lances of the socket contacts, as described herein. Figure 10A also shows a locking lug 242b, which can be configured to engage one of the locking tabs of the plug connector 250b when the receptacle connector 220b is inserted into the plug connector 250b. This lug can be formed by forming a notch into a plane of the side wall of the socket housing 230 above the lug or by a protrusion from the plane of the side wall below the lug. In the illustrated embodiment, the lug is formed by a notch in the wall above the lug. A bottom side of the locking lug 242b has a rounded edge that can slide over the locking tab when the socket connector 220b is inserted into the plug connector 250b, and the top side of the locking lug 242b is substantially flat, This prevents the top side from inadvertently sliding over the locking tabs when the socket connector 220b is fixed in the plug connector 250b and an upward force is applied to the socket connector 220b.

Figure 10B is a partially exploded view of the socket connector 220b, with the wire cover 290b removed from the socket housing 230b. As shown in FIG. 10B, the wire cover 290b includes a protrusion 292 and a wire groove 294. The protrusion 292 may be configured to enter the wire cover slot 234 on the side wall of the socket housing 230b to secure the wire cover 290b to the socket housing 230b. The wire slot 294 may be shaped to accommodate insulated wires. With the wire cover 290b removed, the crimped portion (for example, 224a) of the socket terminal is shown to hold the insulated wire.

FIG. 10C is a top perspective view of a socket connector 220b. FIG. 10C shows the front protrusions 240a to 240b and the rear protrusions 240c to 240d of the socket housing 230b. Figure 10C also shows the terminal slot in the front wall of the socket housing 230b, where the terminal slot 236a is marked. The terminal groove may be shaped to accommodate the plug terminal of the plug connector 250b when the socket connector 220b is inserted into the plug connector 250b, so that the socket terminal can be electrically coupled to the plug terminal. Figure 10C also shows the terminal lance groove. FIG. 10D is an enlarged view of a part of the socket connector 220b where a terminal 222a is engaged with the socket housing 230b. In FIG. 10D, the terminal lances 226a and 227a of the socket terminal 222a extend into the terminal lance groove 238a on the top surface of the socket housing 230b, thereby preventing the terminal 222a from being extracted from the socket housing 230b.

FIG. 10E is a side view of a cross section of the socket connector 220b passing through the insulated wire 204b and the socket terminal 222b. The cross section shown in FIG. 10E includes one side of the socket terminal 222b, a portion including the crimping portions 224b and 225b, one of the terminal lances 226b, and one of the contact portions 228b. As shown in FIG. 10E, the insulated wire may include a conductor (e.g., 206b of the insulated wire 204b).

FIGS. 11A to 11B and FIGS. 12A to 12B further illustrate the socket terminals of the socket connector 220b of FIG. 8B. FIG. 11A is an exploded view of the receptacle connector 220b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments, with the wire cover 290 removed. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the socket terminal 222a and the insulated wire 204 of the socket connector 220. FIG. The socket terminal 222b includes terminal lances 226b and 227b and contact portions 228b and 229b. The terminal lances 226b and 227b can be configured to engage the terminal lance grooves of the socket housing 230. The terminal lances 226b and 227b can be cut from the contact portions 228b and 229b. The terminal spears 226b and 227b may be biased away from the top side so that they will bounce outward and engage a feature of the socket housing 230b to secure the socket terminal 222b to the socket housing 230b.

As shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, the insulated wire 204b includes a conductor 206b and an insulator 208b. As also shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, the crimping portion 224b can be configured to hold the insulator 208b, and the crimping portion 225b can be configured to hold the conductor 206b. The crimping portion 225b may be electrically coupled to the conductor 206b. The crimping portion 225b around the conductor 206b forms an electrical connection between the socket terminal 222b and the conductor 206b.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the crimping portions 224a and 224b of adjacent socket terminals 222a and 222b may be offset from each other in the direction in which the socket terminals 222a and 222b extend. The crimping portion 225a of the socket terminal 222a may be positioned adjacent to the crimping portion 224b of the socket terminal 222b. The crimping portion 224a can be wider than the crimping portion 225b, so that the offset between the crimping portions 224a and 224b and the positioning of the crimping portion 224a adjacent to the crimping portion 225b can reduce the combined width of a socket terminal, thereby reducing the socket One width of connector 220b. The wire groove 294 of the wire cover 290b can be shaped to accommodate the offset-positioned crimping portions 224a and 224b of the socket terminals 222a and 222b.

The contact portions 228b and 229b may be configured to be electrically coupled to one of the plug terminals of the plug connector 250b when the receptacle connector 220b is inserted into the plug connector 250b. In some embodiments, the contact portions 228b and 229b may be flexible, so that they apply a contact force to the plug contacts of the plug connector 250b when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated. The contact portions 228a and 229a may include protrusions to increase the contact pressure at the mating interface. In one example, the contact portions 228b and 229b are displaced by 0.06 mm, a pressure of 1,000 MPa is applied to the contact portions 228b and 229b, and a groove 276 in the rear wall of the plug housing 270 can be shaped to fit in the socket The connector 220 accommodates insulated wires when lowered into the plug connector 250. The insulated wire is stretchable and extends through the slot 276 and generates a contact force of 0.59 N.

Fig. 12A is a side view of the socket terminal 222b. FIG. 12B is a top view of the socket terminal 222b shown in FIG. 11B.

13A to 13C further illustrate the plug connector 250b of FIG. 8B. FIG. 13A is a top perspective view of a plug connector 250b. FIG. 13A shows the front receiving portion 284a, the rear protruding portions 282a to 282b, the receiving groove 276 in the rear wall 271c of the plug housing 270b, and the locking tabs 254a to 254b disposed above the side wall of the plug housing 270b. FIG. 13B is an exploded view of the plug connector 250b of FIGS. 7A to 7B. In FIG. 13B, the plug terminals and locking tabs 254a to 254b are removed from the plug housing 270b to show the terminal grooves 274 and locking tab grooves 280a to 280b of the plug housing 270b, which can be configured to hold the plug terminals and lock Tabs 254a to 254b.

FIG. 13C is a side view of a cross section of a plug connector 250b passing through the plug terminal 252b. As shown in FIG. 13C, the locking tab 254a includes coupling portions 256a to 256b and a flexible portion 258. The coupling portions 256a to 256b can be folded over one side of a side wall 271a of the plug housing 270b and are attached to protrusions from the side wall 271a of the plug housing 270b extending into the grooves in the coupling portions 256a to 256b. The coupling portions 256a to 256b may each form a U shape and fit on the upper sides of both sides of the side wall 217a.

The flexible portion 258 can be aligned with a notch 272 of the plug housing 270b, so that the flexible portion 258 can be pressed into the side wall (for example, 271b) of the plug housing 270b to be a receptacle connector when inserted into the plug connector 250b 220b provides clearance. When the socket connector 220b is inserted, the flexible portion 258 can rebound to engage one of the lugs 242a or 242b on the socket connector 220b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible portion 258 is "M" shaped. The M-shape can provide the flexible portion 258 with a suitable flexibility/rigidity so that the socket connector 220b can be easily inserted into the plug housing 270b, while providing sufficient holding force to prevent the socket connector 220b from unintentionally within a range of operating conditions. The plug housing 270b is released.

14 is a perspective view of a locking tab 254 according to some embodiments, which can be any one of the locking tabs 254a to 254b of the plug connector 250b. As shown in FIG. 14, the locking tab 254 includes coupling portions 256 a and 256 b and a flexible portion 258. The locking tab 254 further includes a mounting portion 260 that can be mounted (for example, welded) to a pad of the board 202. When the flexible part 258 engages one of the locking protrusions of the socket housing 230b, the coupling parts 256a and 256b can hold the socket housing 230b to the plug housing 270b, and the mounting part 260 can hold the socket housing 230 and the plug housing 270b to the board 202. In one example, displacing the flexible portion 258 by 0.08 mm can apply a pressure of 900 MPa and generate a contact force of 2.7 N.

Therefore, several aspects of at least one embodiment of the present invention have been described, but it should be understood that those familiar with the art will easily think of various changes, modifications and improvements.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, two wires are terminated in a socket connector. Those familiar with this technology will understand that changes can be made to this connector. The cable can be terminated by a plug connector, for example. A connector with socket terminals can be mounted to a board. Likewise, more or fewer wires can be terminated by a connector.

As another example, a connector is described as terminating insulated wires 104a and 104b each having a single conductor. In other embodiments, the wires may have other configurations, such as coaxial or twinaxial cables. In some embodiments, the insulated wires 104a and 104b or the cable may include another conductor (for example, a grounding conductor and/or a shielding conductor) surrounding the wire or the cable.

As yet another example, a wire cover is shown as a separate piece with features that engage the socket housing to hold the cover in place. Alternatively or additionally, a cover may be formed of insert molding material around the wire.

These changes, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of the present invention, and are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, although the advantages of the present invention are indicated, it should be understood that not every embodiment of the present invention will include every described advantage. Some embodiments may not implement any feature herein and are described as advantageous in some examples. Therefore, the foregoing description and drawings are only examples.

The various aspects of the present invention can be used individually, in combination, or in various configurations that are not explicitly discussed in the previously described embodiments, and therefore the application of the present invention is not limited to those set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. The details and configuration of the components. For example, aspects described in one embodiment can be combined with aspects described in other embodiments in any way.

Furthermore, the present invention can be embodied as a method, in which an example has been provided. The actions performed as part of the method can be sequenced in any suitable way. Therefore, embodiments can be constructed in which actions are performed in a sequence other than the one shown, which sequence may include performing some actions simultaneously, even if shown as sequential actions in the illustrative embodiment.

The use of ordinal terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. in the scope of an invention application to modify a claim element does not mean that one claim element is superior to the priority or priority of another claim. The right or order or the time sequence of the actions of performing a method, but only used as a label to distinguish a claim element with a specific name from another element with the same name (but using ordinal terms) to distinguish claim elements .

As defined and used herein, all definitions should be understood as governing dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

Unless there is a clear instruction to the contrary, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" used in the specification and the scope of the invention application should be understood as meaning "at least one".

As used herein in the specification and the scope of the invention application, the phrase "at least one" referring to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean any one or more of the elements selected from the list of elements At least one element, but does not necessarily include at least one of each element explicitly listed in the element list and does not exclude any combination of elements in the element list. This definition also allows the existence of components other than those clearly identified in the component list mentioned in the phrase "at least one", regardless of whether they are related or unrelated to those clearly identified components.

As used herein in the specification and the scope of patent applications for inventions, the phrase "and/or" should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so connected, that is, in some cases they exist in combination and In other cases, separate existing components. Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be interpreted in the same way, that is, "one or more" of the elements so connected. There may be elements other than those clearly identified by the "and/or" clause, regardless of whether they are related or unrelated to those clearly identified elements. Therefore, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with an open language such as "including", a reference to one of "A and/or B" may in one embodiment refer to only A (including the addition of B as the case may be). In another embodiment, only B is referred to (including elements other than A as the case may be); in yet another embodiment, both A and B are referred to (including other elements as the case may be); and so on.

As used herein in the specification and the scope of patent application for invention, "or" should be understood as having the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and/or" should be interpreted as inclusive, that is, it contains several elements or at least one element of the element list but also contains more than one element, and as appropriate Additional items not listed. Terms with clear indications to the contrary (such as "only one of..." or "exactly one of...", or when used in the scope of an invention patent application, "consisting of") will refer to The generation contains several components or exactly one component in the component list. Generally speaking, the term "or" as used in this article should only be preceded by an exclusive term (such as "any one", "one of...", "only one of..." or "... Exactly one of "··" is interpreted as indicating an exclusive alternative ("one or the other but not both"). When used in the scope of an invention patent application, "essentially composed of···" should It has its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

Furthermore, the phrases and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "include", "include" or "have", "contain", "involved" and their changes in this article means to cover the items listed thereafter and their equivalents and additional items.

100: Electrical interconnection system 102: Board 104: insulated wire 104a: wire/insulated wire 104b: wire/insulated wire 106: electrical conductor/conductor 106a: Conductor 106b: Conductor 108: Insulator/Plastic/Wire Insulator 108a: Wire insulator 108b: Wire insulator 110: Insertion direction 112: direction 114: fixed direction 120: socket connector 122: Socket terminal 122a: socket terminal 122b: Socket terminal 124: crimping part 124a: crimping part 126: terminal spear 126a: terminal spear 128a: The first contact part 128b: The second contact part 130: socket shell 134a: terminal slot 134b: terminal slot 134c: terminal slot 134d: terminal slot 136: Groove 138b: protruding part 138c: protruding part 140: plug connector / mating interface connector 142a: plug terminal/socket contact 142b: plug terminal/socket contact 144: Spring tab 144a: Spring tab 144b: Spring tab 146: Coupling part 146a: Coupling part 146b: Coupling part 147: Extension 147b: extended part 148: Flexible part 148a: Flexible part 148b: Flexible part 150: plug shell 151a: side/wall 151b: side/wall 151d: wall/front wall 152: Notch 152b: Accepted part 152c: Accepted part 154: Groove 158b: opening 160a: protruding part 160b: protruding part 200: Electrical interconnection system 200a: electrical interconnection system 200b: electrical interconnection system 200c: electrical interconnection system 202: Board 204a: insulated wire 204b: insulated wire 206b: Conductor 208b: Insulator 210: Insertion direction 212: direction/axis 220: socket connector 220b: socket connector 222a: socket terminal 222b: socket terminal 224a: crimping part 224b: crimping part 225a: crimping part 225b: crimping part 226a: terminal spear 226b: terminal spear 227a: terminal spear 227b: terminal spear 228a: contact part 228b: Contact part 229a: contact part 229b: contact part 230: socket shell 230b: socket shell 234: wire cover slot 236a: terminal slot 238a: terminal spear groove 240a: front protrusion/front protrusion 240b: Front protrusion/Front protrusion 240c: Rear side protrusion/rear housing protrusion 240d: Rear side protrusion/rear housing protrusion 242b: Locking lug 250: plug connector 250b: plug connector 252a: plug terminal 254: Locking Tab 254a: Locking tab 254b: Locking tab 256a: Coupling part 256b: Coupling part 258: Flexible part 262a: Part One 262b: Part Two 270: plug shell 270b: plug shell 271a: side wall 271b: sidewall 271c: back wall 274: terminal slot 276: Slot/Receiving Slot 280a: Locking tab slot 280b: Locking tab slot 282a: rear protruding part 282b: rear protruding part 284a: Front receiving part 290: wire cover 290b: wire cover 292: protruding part 294: Trunking

1A is a top perspective view of an electrical interconnection system 100 including a socket connector 120 and a plug connector 140 according to some embodiments;

1B is a cross-sectional side view of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIG. 1A according to some embodiments;

2A is a perspective view of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 120 is partially inserted into the plug connector 140;

2B is a perspective view of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 120 is in an inserted, unfixed position relative to the plug connector 140;

2C is a perspective view of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 120 is in a fixed position relative to the plug connector 140;

2D is a side view of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which as shown in FIG. 2A, the socket connector 120 is partially inserted into the plug connector 140;

2E is a side view of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 120 is in the inserted, unfixed position shown in FIG. 2B;

2F is a side view of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 120 is in the fixed position shown in FIG. 2C;

2G is a top view of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B, in which the socket connector 120 is in the fixed position shown in FIG. 2C;

2H is a cross-sectional side view of a cross-section of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which as shown in FIG. 2A, the socket connector 120 is partially inserted into the plug connector 140;

2I is a side view of a cross-section of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 120 is in the inserted, unfixed position shown in FIG. 2B;

2J is a side view of a cross-section of the electrical interconnection system 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 120 is in the fixed position shown in FIG. 2C;

3A is a bottom perspective view of one of the socket connectors 120 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments;

3B is an enlarged view of the socket connector 120 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments;

3C is an exploded view of the socket connector 120 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments, which illustrates the socket housing 130 separated from the socket terminals 122a and 122b and the wires 104a and 104b;

3D is a side view of a cross-section of the socket connector 120 of FIGS. 1A to 1B through the insulated wire 104b and the socket terminal 122b according to some embodiments;

4A is a top perspective view of a socket terminal 122 and an insulated wire 104 that may be included in the socket connector 120 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments;

4B is a bottom perspective view of one of the socket terminals 122 of FIG. 4A according to some embodiments;

5A is a top perspective view of the plug connector 140 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments;

5B is an exploded view of the plug connector 140 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments;

5C is a side cross-sectional view of the plug connector 140 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments;

6 is a top perspective view of a spring tab 144 that may be included in the plug connector 140 of FIGS. 1A to 1B according to some embodiments;

7A is a top perspective view of an alternative electrical interconnection system 200 including a socket connector 220 and a plug connector 250 according to some embodiments;

FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the electrical interconnection system 200 of FIG. 7A according to some embodiments;

8A is a top perspective view of an electrical interconnection system 200a configured to connect two wires to a board according to some embodiments;

8B is a top perspective view of an electrical interconnection system 200b configured to connect four wires to a board according to some embodiments;

8C is a top perspective view of an electrical interconnection system 200c configured to connect six wires to a board according to some embodiments;

9A is a top perspective view of the electrical interconnection system 200 of FIGS. 7A to 7B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 220 is partially inserted into the plug connector 250;

9B is a top perspective view of the electrical interconnection system 200 of FIGS. 7A to 7B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 220 is in a fixed position in the plug connector 250;

_{9C is a side view of a cross section X 1} -X ₁ ′ of the electrical interconnection system 200 of FIGS. 7A to 7B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 220 is partially inserted into the plug connector 250;

_{9D is a side view of a cross-section X 1} -X ₁ ′ of the electrical interconnection system 200 of FIGS. 7A to 7B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 220 is in a fixed position;

FIG. 9E is a top view of the electrical interconnection system 200 of FIGS. 7A to 7B according to some embodiments;

_{9F is a side view of an alternative cross-section X 2} -X ₂ ′ of the electrical interconnection system 200 of FIGS. 7A to 7B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 220 is partially inserted into the plug connector 250;

_{9G is a side view of an alternative cross-section X 2} -X ₂ ′ of the electrical interconnection system 200 of FIGS. 7A to 7B according to some embodiments, in which the socket connector 220 is in a fixed position;

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of the receptacle connector 220b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments;

FIG. 10B is a partially exploded view of the receptacle connector 220b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments, in which the wire cover 290 is removed from the receptacle housing 230;

FIG. 10C is a top perspective view of the receptacle connector 220b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments;

10D is an enlarged view of the terminal lance groove 238a of the socket housing 230 shown in FIG. 10C according to some embodiments;

10E is a side view of a cross-section of the socket connector 220b of FIG. 8B through the insulated wire 204b and the socket terminal 222b according to some embodiments;

FIG. 11A is an exploded view of the receptacle connector 220b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments, with the wire cover 290 removed;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a socket terminal 222b and an insulated wire 204b of the socket connector 220b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments;

FIG. 12A is a side view of the socket terminal 222b shown in FIG. 11B according to some embodiments;

FIG. 12B is a top view of the socket terminal 222b shown in FIG. 11B according to some embodiments;

FIG. 13A is a top perspective view of the plug connector 250b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments;

FIG. 13B is an exploded view of the plug connector 250b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments;

FIG. 13C is a side view of a cross-section of the plug connector 250b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a locking tab 254 that may be included in the plug connector 250b of FIG. 8B according to some embodiments.

100: Electrical interconnection system

102: Board

104a: wire/insulated wire

104b: wire/insulated wire

120: socket connector

130: socket shell

140: plug connector / mating interface connector

142a: plug terminal/socket contact

142b: plug terminal/socket contact

144a: Spring tab

144b: Spring tab

148a: Flexible part

150: plug shell

Claims (27)

An electrical connector, which includes: An insulating housing includes an opening for receiving a second connector, wherein the opening is bounded by at least a first wall and a second wall of the insulating housing, and the first wall includes an opening configured to Receiving at least one receiving portion from a protrusion of the second connector, and the second wall is transverse to the first wall; A plurality of conductive terminals, which are attached to the first wall of the insulating housing and extend into the opening; and At least one locking tab attached to the second wall of the insulating housing, among them: The at least one locking tab includes a flexible portion configured to engage a surface on the second connector when the second connector is inserted into the opening. Such as the electrical connector of claim 1, where: The at least one receiving portion is configured to receive the protrusion from the second connector when the second connector is inserted in a first direction; The opening of the insulating housing includes a bottom surface; and The electrical connector is configured such that the first direction forms an acute angle with respect to the bottom surface. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the at least one receiving portion of the first wall includes a groove configured to receive a protrusion of the second connector. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the insulating housing further includes a rear wall disposed on a side of the insulating housing opposite to the first wall, and the rear wall includes a rear wall configured to be in the second When the connector is inserted into the opening, a slot for receiving the wire and/or the cable extending from the second connector. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking tab is disposed above at least one side wall of the insulating housing. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein the at least one locking tab includes a U-shaped coupling portion fitted above the at least one side wall. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein the at least one locking tab further includes a flexible part. Such as the electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the at least one locking tab includes: A first locking tab arranged around the first and second opposite sides of a first side wall of the at least one side wall; and A second locking tab arranged around the first and second opposite sides of a second side wall of the at least one side wall, The first side wall and the second side wall are arranged on opposite sides of the opening. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the at least one locking tab further includes at least one mounting portion extending from the coupling portion and configured to be mounted on a surface of a substrate. Such as the electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive terminals include blade contacts. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector has a stack height of 1 millimeter (mm) or less. An electrical connector, which includes: An insulating shell; A plurality of conductive terminals are supported by the insulating housing; and At least one spring, which is supported by the insulating housing, among them: The insulating housing includes an opening for receiving a second connector, wherein the first connector includes a first retention feature for engaging the second connector at a first end of the opening, and Engaging a second retention feature of the second connector at a second end of the opening, wherein the first end is offset from the second end in a first direction, and The at least one spring is configured to apply a force to the second connector in the first direction when the second connector is in the opening. The electrical connector of claim 12, further comprising: a member including a coupling part attached to the insulating housing; a bent part; and an extension part that connects the bent part to the coupling part, wherein The at least one spring includes the bent portion of the member. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the insulating housing includes a side wall including a second opening, wherein the elongated portion is disposed outside the second opening, and the bent portion extends through the second opening. The electrical connector of claim 14, wherein the second opening is elongated in the first direction to accommodate movement of a corner of the bent portion in the first direction when the bent portion is compressed. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein the first retention feature and the second retention feature each include a protrusion configured to interlock with a protrusion of an insulating housing of the second connector. Such as the electrical connector of claim 16, where: The plurality of conductive terminals are positioned in a line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and The protruding parts are configured to prevent the second connector from moving in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. Such as the electrical connector of claim 12, where: The at least one spring includes a surface positioned to contact the second connector when the second connector is inserted into the opening; and The surfaces of the plurality of conductive terminals and the at least one spring are separated in the second direction. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein the at least one spring includes first and second springs attached to first and second opposite sides of the insulating housing, wherein the first side and the second side are parallel to The first direction extends. The electrical connector of claim 19, wherein the plurality of conductive terminals are attached to a third side of the insulating housing that is different from one of the first and second opposite sides. Such as the electrical connector of claim 12, where: The plurality of conductive terminals are positioned at a first end of the insulating housing and adjacent to the first end of the opening; The insulating housing includes a slot at a second end opposite to the first end; and The slot is configured to accommodate a plurality of electrical conductors coupled to the second connector when the second connector is inserted into the recessed area. For example, the electrical connector of claim 21, wherein the plurality of electrical conductors include at least one cable and/or a plurality of wires. An electrical connector system, which includes: Such as the electrical connector of claim 12, The second connector, wherein the second connector includes: A second plurality of conductive terminals, which are configured to receive the first plurality of conductive terminals; A second housing supporting the first plurality of conductive terminals; and A plurality of electrical conductors are terminated at the second connector and electrically coupled to the second plurality of conductive terminals. A method for mating a cable connector and a board connector, the method comprising: Along a first direction, insert the cable connector into a recess of the board connector; The cable connector is secured to the board connector at least in part by the following operations: Applying a spring force to the cable connector in a second direction at least partially opposite to the first direction; and The movement of the cable connector in the direction perpendicular to the second direction is prevented. The method of claim 24, wherein applying the spring force comprises: physically contacting the cable connector with at least one spring of the board connector. The method of claim 24, wherein inserting the cable connector into the recess of the board connector comprises: receiving the electrical conductor coupled to the cable connector in a slot of the board connector. Such as the method of claim 26, wherein accommodating the electrical conductors includes: accommodating at least one cable or wire in the slot.

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